Dinner With the Takasu-Aisaka's

Posted on Tue Dec 3rd, 2024 @ 2:27am by Captain Taiga Aisaka & Lieutenant Commander Ryuuji Takasu & Lieutenant Amu Hinamori M.D. & Commander Thomas Johnson & Commander Chisato Nishikigi & Major Chiyo Shimada & Lieutenant Talia Johnson & Lieutenant JG Nezuko & Lieutenant Tatsuo Shimada & Alice Shimada

3,579 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Christmas Time
Location: Captains Quarters

It was December 24th 2396 aboard the USS Tokyo. The ship glided through space on impulse power. Tonight was a special night as tomorrow was the old Earth holiday known as 'christmas'. Instead of a big party, Taiga had opted for something a little different tonight to celebrate the festive season.

She had spent the majority of the day in her quarters with Ryuuji. They were hosting a dinner party this evening for the senior staff. It was all freshly cooked food that Taiga had arranged to be brought from Earth, none of it had been replicated. She had been helping (where she could) Ryuuji prepare the four course traditional Christmas feast for them.

The Captain had insisted that this was a 'out of uniform' event and that all ranks and positions were to be left out in the corridor. Shecwanted to treat her senior officers, not just as her crew, but as her family to something nice. As it neared 19:00 she had already dressed into a black dress and tied up her hair smartly. The dress had once fitted her perfectly, showing off her small figure. However not it was a little tight around the small baby bump that was growing, the fabric looser over the middle showing where her belly button was, regardless she had squeezed into it for tonight.

"People should be arriving soon," Taiga said as she hovered near the door, excited to greet people. Ryuuji nodded from the kitchen area as he worked on the appetisers. He had taken off his suit jacket whilst cooking and now wore a light pink apron over his shirt and tie.

"Well, I have almost everything ready. Remember, no wine for you tonight!" He replied.

Taiga rolled her eyes and sighed. "Yeah I know. No need to remind me, this belly does that everyday!" She said as she placed a hand on her belly.

No sooner had the clock struck 19:00 than the doors to Taiga's quarters snapped open and in strode Lieutenant Commander Nishikigi, sporting a Cabernet Red, sleeveless jumpsuit, and matching pumps and gold hoop earnings to compliment the look. Taiga had to admit, if not for the big, goofy grin on her face that was oh-so-typical of Chisato, she almost had a certain elegance to her that was so unlike the Chief of Intel she had come to know.

"I come bringing gifts for the proud parents to be~" she greeted in an almost singsong manner as she handed Taiga a large, ruby red gift bag. "Here's wishing you a Happy Holidays, Cap- oh, wait, sorry about that, Taiga-Chan; I almost forgot that we're supposed to be leaving ranks at the door. Come to think of it, do you mind if I call you Taiga-Chan? It's got a bit of a ring to it, if I do say so myself..."

Taiga smiled at the enthusiastic intelligence officer. "I haven't been called Taiga-Chan for a long time," She smiled. "I guess you can, it is Christmas and all..." She said blushing slightly as she took the bag. "And thankyou."

"My pleasure!" Chisato smiled. "Consider it a gift on behalf of all of us over in Intel- much as Lieutenant Chihc protested that I've already made you enough baby blankets-!"

Now it was Chisato's turn to blush. "Oops! Spoiled the surprise; sorry about that..."

Taiga just chuckled. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure he or she will love it regardless." She said in response. She gestured for Chisato to come in. "We have some champagne if you would like a glass." She said indicating to the tray of champage glasses that were on the side table by the door.

"Oh, why thank you!" Chisato replied as she moved over to the side table. "I take it these are of the synthetic variety? Doctor- Eli put me on medications for my heart condition last week, so I really shouldn't be consuming alcohol..."

"Well..." Taiga said suddenly pretending to be all innocent. "No..." she said. "We've had everything here tonight shipped in from Earth. I wanted it to be all special. But, the other tray had non-alcoholic champagne and drinks on."

"Oh, don't sweat it!" Chisato insisted as she set the glass she had in her hand down and moved over to an adjacent table where the non-alcoholic beverages were. "I'm just playing things safe rather than sorry tonight; I'm here to enjoy myself, not to be spending the night in sickbay."

Next through the doors was the Shimada family, consisting of Chiyo, Tatsuo, and Alice. This had been Chiyo's first Christmas with Tatsuo since 2381, and Alice's first Christmas with her father, and while Chiyo was initially hesitant to spend it with anyone else but the two people closest to her in her life. Tatsuo had been the one to convince her to accept Captain Aisaka's invitation, reminding her that tomorrow could be reserved solely for them.

And, so, shortly after Commander Nishikigi, the three of them walked into Taiga and Ryuuji's quarters. Chiyo was dressed in a green SFMC ugly Christmas sweater and black sweatpants, while Tatsuo also wore an ugly Christmas sweater, emblazoned with name and registry of the USS Redemption, while Alice, not wanting to jump on the bandwagon with her parents, had instead worn a Paper Fantasies Christmas T-Shirt, or rather something for the equivalent holiday that was celebrated in the fictional universe of the show.

Of course, it would be quite rude to stop in for Christmas dinner without a gift for the hosts, and Chiyo had just the perfect gift for the expecting captain: It was something Chiyo never seemed to have enough of when Alice was a baby, and she was going to make sure Taiga was well-stocked...

"Merry Christmas, Aisaka." Chiyo greeted warmly.

"Same to you. Chiyo." Taiga replied. "And Tatsuo and Alice too. But please, call me Taiga tonight. We're not on duty, we're just one big family here." She said with a smile as she accepted the gift and gave the three a bow of thanks.

"It might seem underwhelming, but trust me, you're going to thank me later..." Chiyo returned the bow. "I never seemed to have enough of those in Alice's early days."

Taiga looked into the bag and couldn't help but smile. "Starfleet issue diapers." She giggled slightly. "Thankyou, We will definitly be needing these." She smiled at the Marine. "Please, help yourself to the champagne and wait for the others to arrive," she told them gesturing them to move into the room more.

"I'll take a pass." Tatsuo declined gracefully. "I save champagne for New Year's. Though, if you've got any beer laying around..."

Upon hearing Tatsuo, Ryuuji looked up from the kitchen area. "Taiga didn't want any for tonight..." he smirked. "However..." he said as he ducked down and opened something under the counter. "I appreciate a man I can share a beer with!" he said as he placed two bottles on the counter, fresh and cold.

"Ryuuji!" Taigs said.

"Oh shush Taiga. Its Christmas! Relax a little, its only one..." Ryuuji smirked as he used the knife he was chopping vegetables on to pop off the caps of the bottles.

Taiga simply pouted at him. "Fine..."

"Hell yeah, brother!" Tatsuo said with a grin as he accepted the beer from Ryuuji. "I'm sure you and I are going to have a lot to chat over, especially in the new dad category. Though, my case is more me coming into an already existing child's life..."

Ryuuji laughed. "I guess you're right. Although, at least yours started potty trained. I still have all that sort of stuff to look forward to!"

"True, very true, but that means you have a long way to wait until the teenage years, whereas that's my jumping on point..."

Optional tag Ryuuji

"Mom, can I have some champagne?" Alice asked as Chiyo grabbed herself a glass.

"Sure, when you're eighteen in four years." Chiyo responded.

"Awww..." Alice whined.

Taiga couldn't help but smile at Alice. She reached over to the other tray. "Here you go," she said passing her a glass of the non-alcoholic champagne. "This is the champagne we ordered that doesn't have alcohol in it. It tastes the same though, but its probably a bit different than what you're used to," she explained with a wink. Before releasing the glass she looked up at Chiyo. "Can she?"

"If it's non-alcoholic, I guess it's okay..." Chiyo shrugged.

"Well, here you go Alice," Taiga smiled as she passed the fourteen year old the non-alcoholic champagne. "Don't worry though kiddo, I'll be drinking it too." She gave her a brief smile. "For obvious reasons."

Alice stole one last glance to her mother, who gave her a reassuring nod before taking a sip.

"Hmmm... Tastes like carbonated fruit juice..." She muttered.

Taiga laughed as she ruffled Alice's hair. "Yeah it does." She leant over slightly and whispered into her ear. "Taste's awful right? But apparently its 'tradition' so I had to go with it..." she said pointing over to Ryuuji to indicate that it was him who had 'insisted' that Champagne was served at the dinner party.

"My dad says it's more like a New Year's tradition than a Christmas one..." Alice shrugged. "Not like I'd know. My mom always had a wine glass in hand to ring in the New Year."

Smirking Taiga straightened up. "I wouldn't worry about it, just enjoy yourself."

Thomas finally arrived to the party, "Sorry I am late... however I did come bearing gifts." He pulled a large red bag behind him. "Don't ask me whats inside, I just replicated them. wrapped and all. So your guess is as good as mine."

"You're not late," Taiga replied. "Welcome Thomas. Will Talia be joing us too?" she asked.

"Should be right behind me." Thomas replied... "The pregnancy is causing a few issues, but nothing to be worried about."

Taiga couldn't help but chuckle. "She's in the same boat as me," she replied with a smile. "Well, please help yourself to the champagne. Once everyone's here we'll get sat down for the meal."

Nodding, Thomas walked over. "So... whats the latest gossip I missed."

The Captain chuckled. "You should be telling me." She said with a smile as she took another small sip of the non-alcoholic champagne. "You're closer to the crew than me. Everyone comes to you remember.... Damn... I promised not to talk about work!"

"True... All is quiet on that front I guess, which is good. The crew seems to be melding quite nicely."

Taiga smiled as she handed him a glass. "Well, lets have a good time tonight! We've been cooking all this wonderful food for us to enjoy!" she told Thomas.

"You mean, I've been cooking?" Ryuuji said from the kitchen area with a smirk.

Taiga smiled nervously. "I peeled some potatoes..."

Talia arrived at the party right behind her husband, she’d been feeling somewhat off thanks to morning sickness, which had turned into morning, noon, and sometimes evening sickness. She smiled as she greeted Taiga. “Cap...Taiga, I hope Thomas remembered to bring our gift?”

"He did,' Taiga said with a smile. "How are you doing Talia? Thomas mentioned you've been giving problems with your little one?" She asked in a more concerned tone.

“It’s just the morning...or rather all day sickness, and tiredness but it’s not as bad as it was before. I’m managing to eat and drink something now at least.” Talia offered a smile. “I’ll soon be putting on any weight I’ve lost.”

"Thats good news," Taiga replied. "Well, enjoy yourself tonight Talia. This is for Christmas after all."

Nezuko was baffled by this holiday. Back at the Academy, some people would celebrate right before the break at New Year. Nobody did anything this time of year on the Susquehanna. But on the Tokyo, she found herself getting an invitation to Christmas dinner. What was this all about? Research gave an utterly confusing response. The date of birth of a personification of a deity whose flesh would later be eaten? But then more digging suggested it was actually just a winter festival subsumed by the leading empire of the era? And then there was something of a magical being who appeared to run a worker class and a surveillance state, all for the benefit of children? Sweaters that were purposefully ugly? An alcoholic drink made from EGGS?

But apparently the Captain found something appealing. Maybe it was just an excuse for spending time with loved ones. Fair enough.

Uncertain about everything, she replicated a sweater — a neon pink one with repeated ice crystal patterns — and went quietly into the Captain’s quarters, giving her a little wave.

Once everyone had arrived, Taiga gestured them all to the large table which had been set up near the windows. The table was laid out with fine china, all decorated with the ship's logo and name. Obviously Taiga had 'spared no expense' on this dinner. It was rare that the official ships dinner set was brought out for non-diplomatic functions. In fact, this was the first time it had ever been used. "Please, sit down..." she gestured to them all.

"I feel so out of place," Chisato chuckled as she drew up a chair adjacent to Alice. "I got all dressed up expecting this to be a formal occasion, and here's everyone else dressing like it's Casual Friday; I mean, we've got some folks here rocking the ugly sweaters, we've got others still in uniform..."

Talia took a seat at the table nodding her thanks as Thomas tucked her chair under for her just like the gentleman he was. She was looking forward to joining in with the dinner this evening.

Nezuko waved across the table to her friend Talia as Ryuuji began bringing food out.

Ryuuji began to serve up the first course. The starter was home-made three onion soup. It had a light but strong taste. It was presented in the USS Tokyo China bowls along with a soupspoon and freshly cooked bread. "First course, three onion soup," Ryuuji announced as he started to place a bowl in front of all the attendees.

"Well, eat up!" Taiga said with a smile as she picked up her soup spoon and wasted no time in starting at the dish.

Nezuko had learned to be experimental with most foods throughout the Federation. She was, by her nature, one who needed meat more than anything else, but the flavours that many plants offered could not be denied. She took out her rebreather and tasted the soup. It was delicious! Her eyes went wide as the three onion flavours brought her senses to new places. She took a few fast spoonfuls and then took a breath before repeating.

She gave Taiga and Ryuuji a thumbs-up.

Taiga smiled at the Amphea Operations Officer. She had always wondered how she breathed through her rebreather when eating, now she had her answer. The soup was indeed very tasty, it was to be expected of Ryuuji's cooking.

"I'll pass..." Alice said. "Not a big soup person."

"Well, more for us, then." Chiyo said before noticing that Tatsuo wasn't touching his soup either. "Honey?"

"What?" Tatsuo asked. "Fourteen years and you forget I'm not a big onion guy? Onions always give me bad gas."

"I'd be down to have some more soup," Chisato volunteered.

"It's all yours..." Tatsuo began to hand over his bowl before realizing that Chisato's bowl was still full.

"You do know it'll be cold by the time you get to it, right?" He asked.

Chisato glanced down at her own soup. "Ehehehe... guess you're right..."

Thomas took a bit of soup for himself, and tried it, although he wasnt a big fan of soups to begin with, it wasn't half that bad. "So... have we thought about nurseries yet?"

Talia was enjoying her soup even though she wasn't really a big fan of onions. She smiled as Thomas asked about nurseries waiting to see what the others had to say.

Once everyone had finished the soup, the bowls were put away and it was time for the traditional 'fish course'. "Ok everyone," he said with a smile as he began to place large stemmed glasses infront of everyone. Inside the glass was lined with fresh iceberg lettuce, in the center was a prawn cocktail mixture with sauce.

"Home made prawn cocktail." he looked at Talia and Taiga. "Oh and don't worry. I've tested the fish, its perfectly good to eat whilst pregnant," He assured them with a smile.

"Please, enjoy," Ryuuji told everyone.

"Prawn cocktail, now this takes me back:" Tatsuo commented. "I know it's the wrong holiday, but my mom always made this for Valentine's Day, and then my dad would make it in kind for White Day."

"Gotta say, I've never heard of serving your loved ones Prawn Cocktail for Valentine's Day," Chisato remarked. "Was it more of a Shimada family tradition?"

"I'm not sure how it got started." Tatsuo shrugged. "I know that when they were first dating, my dad fell in love with my mom's prawn cocktail. So, to show how much she loved him, she started making it for him on Valentine's Day. Then, of course that meant he was under obligation to do something for her on White Day, and so he decided to prepare his own prawn cocktail. It wasn't as delicious as mom's but she adored him for putting in the effort."

"D'awww... That's so sweet," Chisato remarked.

Talia offered a polite smile. "To be honest I've never tried prawn before, I will give it a try though it's only polite to do so."

Nezuko examined the stemmed glasses, never having seen one used for food before. But she did know prawns and the delicious sauce they were usually served with. She picked one up and then did as she did with the soup. The flesh of the prawn was perfectly cooked and the sauce helped elevate the flavour. She would surely need to write about this meal to her family.

She looked to Ryuuji and also to Talia to give both her seal of approval. Her friend would hopefully like them as much as she did.

Talia smiled as she nodded her thanks to Nezuko. Picking a prawn she copied Nezuko's method with the soup and sampled. "Hmmm... that is lovely!" she gave Thomas a playfully nudge. "You'll enjoy this Imzadi."

Taking one of the prawns, he took bite... as he chewed, he paused. Looked around. Smiled at Talia, nodded in agreement, and swallowed. "That certainly is something." He replied as he reached for his drink.

Once everyone had finished the prawn cocktails, there was a few moments when Ryuuji laid out the main course. A large stuffed turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Taiga slowly rose from her chair as she took the knife from Ryuuji. "Usually in tradition, as far as my research says. Its traditional for the father of the family to slice the first portions of turkey. But, I like to think I'm more of the mother to all of the crew... Plus I really wanted to do it..." she smirked.

She began to slice away at the turkey and place it on a sideplate for people to take. "Go ahead, dig in! Its all fresh!"

"Much obliged, Mommy!" Chisato grinned as she almost immediately attacked her helping.

"Someone smack her on the head or something..." Taiga said referring to anyone who happened to be closest to their Chief Intelligence Officer. 'Every family has a special child...' Taiga thought as she finished slicing the Turkey and then sat down.

Talia couldn’t help but grin as she looked at the food that was starting to pile up on her plate as she took a modest share of the rest of the veritable feast on the table. “I get the feeling i’m going to be well and truly stuffed by the time I leave here this evening, but then I am eating for two!”

Nezuko ate with gusto. Their hosts had managed to keep this poultry flesh nice and moist, and the flavour was stupendous. She had to remind herself that she was eating in the presence of non Amphea. Lest things get messy. Still, it was pretty obvious to those nearby that she was having the time of her life. She even had to remind herself to take breaks and breathe!

Talia couldn’t help but smile at Nezuko’s enthusiasm. “You’re certainly enjoying your dinner Nezuko!” She grinned. “I can’t say I blame you, the food is delicious!”

Nezuko looked up at Talia, grinned a fanged, toothy, happy grin, took a quick puff of air, and then went back to the meat.

Taiga looked around at her staff, she couldn't help but smile as she watched them all eating, laughing, chatting and enjoying themselves. This was what Christmas was all about, even if they were trillions of miles away from Earth. It was all about family, sharing and love. She felt a warmth running through her body as she continued with the dinner.

Merry Christmas 2023 from The USS Tokyto Crew!

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